Spiriva is used to make breathing easier for people with conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis and emphysema. This helps to improve your condition and to prevent exacerbations (periodic worsening of symptoms) from occurring.

Spiriva improves breathing by relaxing the breathing tubes or air passages that carry air to and from the lungs. It begins to act quickly (30 minutes) after use and the effect should last a full day.

Recommendations

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. Use Spiriva exactly as directed.

The recommended dose for adults is 1 capsule to be inhaled, once a day.

The powder in the capsules must only be inhaled using a HandiHaler device. Use each strip of 5 capsules within 5 days of first opening the strip.

Using the HandiHaler device, pierce the capsule only once. If you pierce it more often, the capsule may break and pieces of gelatin from the capsule shell, small enough to pass the sieve, may be inhaled into your mouth or throat. Gelatin is not harmful and small particles swallowed or inhaled will be digested or absorbed and are not expected to cause undesirable effects.

If you have any problems with inhaling Spiriva ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Precautions

Tell your doctor before using Spiriva, if:

you are allergic to any medicines;
you have high pressure in the eye (glaucoma), kidney problems, problems with your prostate gland, or problems with passing urine;
you are pregnant or breast-feeding.